ABROAD: Brendan and Jane McNamara in front of the MITEZ sign at the Chinese Overseas Investment Fair. Photo supplied.

Flinders Shire Council continued to develop roots in China following a trip abroad to attend the Chinese Overseas Investment Fair (COI Fair) in November 2017.

The COI Fair represents one of the most important international exhibition for Investments, which took place in Beijing.

The Flinders Shire Council was one of two Australian organisations invited to the fair out of 300 exhibitors and were proud to represent the council, Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Zone (MITEZ) and the proposed Hughenden Meat Processing Plant.

Given the Hughenden Meat Processing Plant, is supported by Chinese investment group, CNVM Investment Pty Ltd, the trip abroad was another step closer to laying the foundations for the plant.

Flinders Shire Council Mayor, Jane McNamara, said the trip was another step in the approvals process for the proposed meat processing plant.

“It was about Flinders Shire and the Northern Queensland region showing support for the plant in front of the companies involved in the project,” Cr McNamara said.

“It was a really good opportunity to promote the project and what our region has to offer.”

Cr McNamara said it was all about relationship building.

“It was really important for us to meet the companies who will be involved in our project, see how that organisation works and where that organisation is based,” she said.

“We learnt that the Chinese are always looking for new ventures, so there is a lot of opportunity for Australia.”

Since returning from China, Cr McNamara said the Flinders Shire is continuing to do whatever they can to prepare for the plant, while awaiting approval from the Chinese Government.

“If you look at any overseas investment it takes time. We are dealing with three levels of Australian government plus the Chinese government,” she said.

“It is a long process. We are not trying to rush it, and we can only proceed at the pace we are given.

“It is slow but the idea is to be there for the long term. This is something we would like to see around for a very long time.”